We visited the Virginia capitol, a building designed by Thomas Jefferson. It was home to many famous things, including the acceptance of Robert E Lee to lead the Confederate Army, and the treason trial of Aaron Burr. Then we visited the Virginia Historical Society, where I got to see a painting of William Byrd II, my favorite Virginian. After that we ate burritos and drove back to Fredericksburg. Below are some pictures. It's 6:45pm and the rest of my evening will be spent with laundry!
Here is an excerpt from St. Paul's Episcopal Church's website:
(http://www.stpauls-episcopal.org/index.php/who/history_architecture/)
With the selection of Richmond as the capitol of the Confederacy in 1861, St. Paul's would become forever identified with the Civil War. General Robert E. Lee and his wife were lent a pew and attended services at St. Paul's whenever possible throughout the war. In 1862, Confederate President Jefferson Davis was confirmed as a member of the parish. Many male parishioners gave their lives in battle. The church undercroft was used as a hospital for wounded soldiers. While attending service on Sunday, April 2, 1865, President Davis was delivered a message from General Lee stating that Lee had to withdraw from Petersburg, and thus could no longer defend Richmond. Davis quietly left the church, and evacuated the Confederate government and army from the city that afternoon. Fires broke out that evening, destroying the downtown and spreading dangerously close to St. Paul's. General Lee surrendered his army at Appomattox the following Sunday.
The house where Robert E Lee lived in Richmond
The Virginia Capitol, which also served as the Capitol of the Confederate States of America
William Byrd, my favorite Virginian
Statue of George Washington in the Capitol rotunda
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Where Jefferson Davis was sitting when he received news of the fall of the Confederacy.
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